Ladies previews: Three double-headers in the Lidl National Football League this weekend

IT’S another huge weekend in the 2019 Lidl Ladies National Football League – with 16 fixtures down for decision across the four divisions.

There are three ‘double-header’ games in Division 1 over the weekend – including two on Saturday which are both available to view LIVE.

Dublin host Mayo at Croke Park (5.0) in front of the eir sport cameras, while the Ladies Gaelic Football Association’s Facebook Live offering https://www.facebook.com/LadiesGaelicFootball/ is the clash between Cork and Tipperary at Páirc Uí Rinn (5.0).

Jerome Quinn and Cork’s 11-time TG4 All-Ireland Senior medallist Bríd Stack will be on commentary duty as the Leesiders play on a double-bill alongside their male counterparts for the very first time.

On Sunday, Donegal and Galway will hope to maintain their 100 per records in Division 1 – and both counties have home advantage.

Galway welcome Westmeath to Clonberne, while Donegal’s Ladies have a double-header at O’Donnell Park in Letterkenny to look forward to, as they welcome Ulster rivals Monaghan.

These teams last met in the 2018 TG4 Munster Senior Championship semi-final – and now they’ll lock horns in an historic Lidl National League Division 1 tie.

This is the first time that the Cork Ladies will have the chance to play on a double-bill alongside their male counterparts, and it’s a game that can be viewed LIVE on the Ladies Gaelic Football Association’s Facebook Page.

Cork were stunned by Galway in Round 1 but did recover to beat Westmeath last time out.

For Tipperary, managed by Mourneabbey’s All-Ireland Senior Club winning boss Shane Ronayne, it’s been a baptism of fire in the top flight.

Tipp lost out to Mayo and Dublin in their first two games and will be hoping to avoid a third successive defeat when they make the trip to the Rebel County.

Tipp are unchanged from the team that lined out against Dublin while Cork boss Ephie Fitzgerald has brought in Shauna Kelly for Marie Ambrose in defence.

Jerome Quinn and Cork’s 11-time TG4 All-Ireland Senior medallist Bríd Stack will be on commentary duty for this one.

This fixture will revive some painful memories for Roscommon. In the 2018 TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate semi-final, Meath produced a brilliant performance to defeat Roscommon at Dr. Hyde Park.

But this is a new year and both counties have started well – with six points each from their opening two games.

Offaly v Longford, St. Brendans Park, Birr, 1pm (N McCormack, Laois)

Longford are one of four teams with three points from their opening two fixtures – which is three behind pace-setters Meath and Roscommon.

But with the top two playing each other on Saturday, this is a chance for the chasing pack to make up some ground. Longford lost narrowly to Kildare in Round 1, before beating Sligo narrowly in Round 2. Offaly are pointless from their first two games.

Wicklow v Kildare, Dunlavin, (J Murphy, Carlow)

This could be a pivotal game in the quest for a top four place, with both teams on three points.

Following a line of form, both teams have already played Roscommon, with Wicklow losing by 10 points against the Connacht outfit, while Kildare ran the Rossies to just two points. Wicklow will look to make home advantage count but this will be a competitive Leinster derby.

Down v Sligo, Saval BT34 2RQ, 2.30pm, (S McLoughlin, Donegal)

Down got off to a great start when they fired six goals against Offaly – but they lost to Wicklow in Round 2.

Sligo, who suffered relegation from Division 2 last year, find themselves in trouble again as they’ve lost their opening two fixtures against Meath and Longford.

Lidl Ladies NFL – Division 4 – Round 3

Fermanagh v Limerick, Ederney, 2.30pm, (D Hurson, Monaghan)

Division 4 is shaping up to be an interesting promotion race and Fermanagh are currently sitting pretty with two wins from two.

The Erne County welcome Limerick, who beat Louth in their first outing before losing out narrowly to Carlow in round 2.